Of course being a ND fan, Im hopeing he can stay healthy and produce in pre-season.

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By Sean Logan

If there were any lingering concerns, you couldn’t tell by what happened on the practice field. Jonas Gray seems to be cutting effortlessly on that rehabilitated knee. Thus far, through OTA’s and mini-camp, he’s shown no ill effects, working his way into the discussion in what currently is a crowded Dolphins backfield.

So, with that in mind, Gray is looking for any way to get on the field and solidify his spot on what will be whittled down to a 53-man roster right after Training Camp, not balking at the opportunity to contribute on special teams.

It’s an outside-in approach: prove yourself valuable in all facets of the game, earn trust, and then, perhaps, get some more time in the backfield.

“My role, definitely, 100 percent, is to be the best player I can on special teams, help wherever I’m needed at the running back position,” Gray said. “But then also I’m competing for the starting spot. That’s how everybody’s mode should be in the entire running back room.

“If you make yourself an asset on special teams, and you do what you need to do at the running back position and you play as a starter, you put yourself in a good position to make the team.”

Henry, don't flame me, but I don't see him making the team. Sorry, buddy.

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Overview

Gray is a thick running back who has been a reliable short-yardage rotational back over the years; a role that seems likely for him in the NFL. He hasn't played much special teams for the Golden Domers, but he will undoubtedly need to be a performer in this role at the next level to stick on a roster. With his size, look for him to not only get goal-line carries, but also be a presence on coverage teams; he has the type of body to play numerous roles on these teams. He was shelved for the final month of his collegiate career due to a knee injury, and will need to show he can recover adequately throughout the pre-draft process.

Analysis

StrengthsGray is a powerful inside runner, and when he actually sees a hole he can hit it hard. He is good out of the backfield to make a play in the pass game as a check-down option. He could be a change-of-pace or third-down option at the next level, and is deceptive enough between the tackles to make yardage out of nothing. He could be a decent option to a team that has a poor offensive line, as a guy who could get 3-4 yards consistently despite not having much in front of him.

WeaknessesGray has started at times for Notre Dame but has never been able to claim the spot solely as his own. He is a straight-line runner who doesn't have much movement in his play and struggles laterally. He is not very instinctive and often times will hit a hole that leaves you wondering what he was seeing. He is not going to be able to get to the edge at the next level and will never be a space player; he is only serviceable as an inside runner and is very limited.

J GRAY will give you power rushing "from Tackle to Tackle", for sure: after all, before last season, that was ND's "game"...and they were good at it. And, as J MADDEN used to say, "he's SHORT, not small". But GRAY also MAY surprise you w/his quickness. I feel that if ND's "game" was a little more outside-oriented, he would have done just as well.

What I DO KNOW is that he can catch passes, and won't hurt our passing game AT ALL. And he might just make the "screen pass" a real threat down here again: he's good at it.

Blocking (pass protection) was once a weakness in GRAY's game. Not so much anymore: he worked very hard at it, and got much better at it in his last season at ND.

I/m/o, if GRAY makes it all the way back from his knee injury, a lot of teams are going to wish they had the insight and guts that MIAMI did, when MIAMI signed him up knowing that he most likely wouldn't be able to give them anything for at least a year.

Enrique, I take it all back. I know it was only 1 preseason game and he didn't play against the starters, but I saw a spark in him that Daniel Thomas doesn't have. I'd put Gray ahead of Thomas on the depth chart. In fact, I see Daniel Thomas in another jersey this year. Thomas puts me to sleep watching him play.

Enrique, I take it all back. I know it was only 1 preseason game and he didn't play against the starters, but I saw a spark in him that Daniel Thomas doesn't have. I'd put Gray ahead of Thomas on the depth chart. In fact, I see Daniel Thomas in another jersey this year. Thomas puts me to sleep watching him play.

Is it just me or is Thomas fall down as soon as he is touched? It looks like he is looking for a place to fall as soon as he gets the ball.

I think Gray has potential and he no doubt had a few nice runs, but to me (just my opinion) he runs very stiff AND dropped a couple of WIDE OPEN passes..........However, when comparing to Thomas, I am certainly ready to change away from that guy and Jonas shows nice potential.

He just needs to haul in those wide open throws out of the backfield. The stiffness I see may be the north south running style he portrays.

I think Gray has potential and he no doubt had a few nice runs, but to me (just my opinion) he runs very stiff AND dropped a couple of WIDE OPEN passes..........However, when comparing to Thomas, I am certainly ready to change away from that guy and Jonas shows nice potential.

He just needs to haul in those wide open throws out of the backfield. The stiffness I see may be the north south running style he portrays.

I like what I saw from Gray, and he certainly showed more that Daniel Thomas did.